Question

Which of the following observations from the alpha particle scattering experiment concluded that most of the atom is empty space?

• A. Most of the alpha particles passed through the gold foil undeflected
• B. A small fraction of the alpha particles is deflected by a small angle
• C. A very few alpha particles bounced back
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is A Most of the alpha particles passed through the gold foil undeflected

Most of the alpha particles passed through the gold foil undeflected, which means that most of the atom is empty space. Otherwise most of the alpha particles would have bounced back or would have been heavily deflected as like charges repel (electrostatic repulsion).